Programme d’Appui à l’Initiative Communautaire (PAIC)

Title: Grants and Procurement Assistant

Department: CIT

Employee Status: Full Time

Reports to: Grants and Activity Cycle Manager

Location: Far North Region, Cameroon

BACKGROUND

Creative Associates International Inc. is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 20 countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Creative Associates International Cameroon Limited (Creative Associates) is implementing the USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives program in Cameroon: le Programme d’Appui à l’Initiative Communautaire (PAIC).  The program will be working to strengthen inter-community relations through local initiatives, empower youth, and increase social cohesion.  The USAID/OTI Cameroon program will work at the local level in partnership with local organizations.
To lead and support the implementation of the Programme d’Appui à l’Initiative Communautaire (PAIC), Creative Associates seeks to engage a highly qualified and motivated team.  All positions, including positions based in Yaoundé, are full time and require a willingness to travel throughout northern Cameroon.  Creative Associates is especially interested in receiving submissions from women applicants.  Only qualified candidates who follow the application instructions will be contacted.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Grants and Activity Cycle Manager, the Grants and Procurement Assistant is responsible for managing the implementation of grant activities in the Far North Region of Cameroon. He will partner with the Program Officer in activity development and will work with grantees to implement activities in a professional and timely manner. He will manage all grant documentation and deliverable management in accordance with PAIC/Creative policies and US government and regulations. He will also oversee the acquisition and distribution of goods and services to activities in compliance with PAIC/Creative policies and US government procurement regulations. Travel throughout the Far North Region is required.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

The Grants and Procurement Assistant will report to the Grants and Activity Cycle Manager.

Expected Outcomes:

• Facilitate all grant design, implementation and closeout for the Far North satellite office.
• Oversee day to day procurements for activities and the office Far North satellite office.
• Participate in, and contribute to, activity development and closeout.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
• Participates in all activity design and implementation meetings.
• Support Program Officer to identify local partners, grantees or grant activities.
• Draft ideas with estimated budgets and present them at activity meetings.
• Determine which award mechanism is the most appropriate for the activity.
• Assist the Program Officer in the design of activities.
• Ensure grant documentation and clearance is complete and filed for each activity.
• Serve as local partners’ day to day contact for all issues related to activity implementation.
• Verify that the grantee or local partner has complied with terms of the activity agreement and required deliverables.
• Collect final documents, deliverables and reports from local partners and grantees.
• Conducts procurement of goods and services for the operations of PAIC office and project activities and ensures compliance with Creative procurement procedures and USAID regulations.
• For office operations, procures any goods that must go into expendable inventory and hands over to Finance and Administration Assistant for inventory management purposes.
• Review procurement requisitions and work with colleagues in other departments to revise specifications if needed.
• Draft requests for quotations (RFQs), invitations for bids (IFB), requests for proposals (RFPs), expressions of interest (EOI), requests for information (RFI) and determine the most appropriate method for solicitation.
• Convene and oversee evaluation of quotations and proposals and ensure compliant selection of vendor or subcontractor.
• Review budget for cost reasonability, negotiate with vendors where needed, ensure that all procurement documentation and ensure that documents are completed and filed in accordance with the threshold and procurement checklists.
• Monitor delivery of all goods and services, modify POs and subcontracts if needed.
• Ensure that all procurement and grant documentation is up to date and complete.
• Any other duties suitable to task and commensurate with ability.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• High school diploma, baccalaureate required, and Four-year degree in business administration, finance or a related field required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of work experience in a related field is required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of work experience is required.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills is required.
• Demonstrated ability to solve challenging and complicated logistical issues.
• Prior experience with international organizations or international-funded projects is highly desirable, particularly a program which included grants.
• Willingness and ability to develop in-depth understanding of USAID’s Automate Directives System (ADS), Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), and the US government’s Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and the regulations which apply to PAIC activities and awards.
• Strong analytical skills are required.
• Problem solving, stress management and time management skills are required.
• Proficient at using Microsoft office software: MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, etc.
• Excellent record keeping and documentation skills are required.
• Experience of working in a conflict environment is a plus.
• Written and spoken fluency in French or English required.
• Fluency in one or more of the local languages used in the northern Cameroon is preferred.

How to Apply

CV requirements for candidates applying for jobs with Creative Associates PAIC

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MAY APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE POSITION. FOR EACH POSITION, PLEASE SUBMIT A SEPARATE APPLICATION AND SEND A SEPARATE EMAIL WITH THE TITLE OF THE POSITION IN THE SUBJECT OF THE EMAIL.

All candidates who wish to be considered must submit their CV in the form below:

• Personal information and contacts (cell (s) and email), physical address, nationality and professional profile.
• Brief summary of the qualifications of the candidate - not more than 10 to 12 lines of text.
• Diplomas in reverse chronological order (newest to oldest). Please do not include primary school education.
• Professional experience in reverse chronological order (newest to oldest). Your work experience should be listed as follows for each job:
  • The dates of commencement and termination
  • The title of the job held
  • The structure or employer (business, NGOs, state, community)
  • The designated responsibilities or tasks
  • Achievements or expectations of your efforts during the period of such employment.  Please do not include experience as a Trainee
• Please include any additional information relevant to the job you are applying for, such as:
  • Detailed language skills.
  • Other skills (e.g. computer skills, Animation capacity or training of trainers, etc.)
  • Publications or studies (if available) OR TRAINING COMPLETED
  • Driving license (either vehicle or motorcycle)
• Please include at least three references names (full name, title, contact and email address).

Applicants Must Follow all of the Following Steps to Be Considered for Employment:

Submit your application in one email to recrutement@crea-paic.com  with the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae with three professional references, including at least two former supervisors​
• Submit a cover letter indicating the reasons for your interest in the position. The subject of the email must indicate the position title and location.

Deadline: 02th November 2018